No. 1 free agent Jack Roslovic reportedly close to finalizing contract

We’re deep into the summer, and the NHL free-agent market has been at a standstill since the first week of July. But things could heat up again soon. With mid-August already here and teams getting ready for the upcoming season, signs point to movement on the horizon. With roughly a month to go before training camps open for all 32 teams, the market might be about to pick up again, following one report from insider Frank Seravalli.

The insider claims that center Jack Roslovic, ranked No. 1 on most Top 25 lists of available free agents out there, is reportedly close to finalizing a deal with an NHL club.

At this time, the team remains unknown, but several rumors have linked Roslovic to the Toronto Maple Leafs. If that’s the case, general manager Brad Treliving would likely have to move one of his regular roster players to create cap space.

“They are getting closer; some people seem to wonder is Toronto the fit? I could see that happening, but we know Toronto’s cap situation is still going to be tight,” reported Seravalli on Bleacher Report earlier this week.

The Maple Leafs are reportedly now the only Canadian team in the mix with the Vancouver Canucks also mentioned by Seravalli as a team to look out for in a future Roslovic signing. The Canucks have $3.2 million in cap space currently, which could be just about enough to make way for Roslovic on the roster.

Roslovic, whose last deal was an AAV of $4 million, is a right-handed center listed at 6’1” and 198 pounds. He was selected in the first round, 25th overall, by the Winnipeg Jets in the 2015 NHL draft. Last season, he posted 22 goals and 17 assists for 39 points in 81 games with the Carolina Hurricanes.

A decision is likely to be made sooner rather than later on the Roslovic front as time is running out in this offseason.